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Thu, 2 Sep 2010
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Having been established since February 2004, Anime UK News is constantly striving to deliver high quality UK anime news and reviews to your computer screens each and every day, being sure to maintain high standards of writing and reliability.

Designed and maintained by devoted anime fans, Anime UK News and it's fledgling forum community is growing with each passing month, proving we are an ambitious and trusted resource for UK-based anime fans and beyond!
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Editor

chaos

Editor
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
31 yo from Brazil, who have been exiled because I can't play footie.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
Tom & Jerry and Woody Woodpecker.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
A few DVD's a week, although currently I'm watching less and less anime, as other things in life are taking precedence.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
The Twelve Kingdoms - I hope the writer finish the story on the novels soon and the get the rest of it animated!!!
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
Manga. Yeah, I know, I'm a sad, sad person...
I used to play bass guitar and before going to college I had to play gigs at least 2 times a week. I play the odd game here and there, but I can't call myself a gamer anymore.

I also enjoy studying new languages - human or machine ones...

Rui

Editor
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
A sprightly 26 (at time of originally writing this, which I'll probably never remember to update). I currently live in the Greater London area.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
I can remember dozens of cartoons from the same period - Transformers and the ancient Spiderman series in particular. The first cartoon I remember loving was the movie Flight of Dragons. I still worship it just as much.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
At least one episode a day on average. I don't download so perhaps that doesn't sound like so much but over the years my collection has become vast. I read manga too, though I'm trying to cut down on that aside from amazing series or things that will obviously never be animated, to avoid effectively buying things twice. My other half collects manga more frequently so I have a large library to fall back on.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Shoujo Kakumei Utena. TV and movie versions. If I'm going to be stuck for a while it has to be one of those shows I will never get tired of.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
The usual - manga, games, music, roleplaying, books and sleeping.

Sarah

Editor
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
I'm twenty-one!! From that you can guess that I'm at that age when I'm no longer prepared to admit how old I am online! I have two sons (one of whom introduced me to DBZ and 'Naruto'). I'm from the West Country, born and brought up in Bath, but I've been living in Beckenham, Kent, for quite a while now.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
Does 'Captain Pugwash' count as a cartoon? Otherwise it would have to be 'Top Cat'and 'Scooby-Doo'(which always made my younger sister hide behind the sofa). And those dreadful early 'Herge's Adventures of Tintin!' versions which almost ruined one of my favourite series for me.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
I watch way too much anime (at least an episode or two a day). And I read way too much manga. Or not nearly enough, looking at it from another perspective... I'm still having fun catching up on all those series (manga and anime)that we missed out on in the UK. I love 'Kyo Kara Maoh!'at the moment (R1), Fullmetal Alchemist' and 'Eureka Seven'. I'm looking forward to 'Tsubasa' and 'Blood +'.

Current manga favourites are anything by the brilliant Fumi Yoshinaga ('Antique Bakery' will do for a start) and Oh!great's crazily inventive 'Air Gear'. Sanami Matoh's 'Trash' was a promising start to a new series, too.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
This is really tough.
For intellectual puzzling over, it would be 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. For comfort viewing, it would probably have to be 'Fruits Basket'. For a series that I just love, it would have to be 'Loveless'.

The third wins.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
Music - of all kinds (I trained as a musician which is why anime music is really important to me).
News Reporter

Arbalest

News Reporter
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
Howdy hi hi, I'm 19 years old and come from a tiny wee place called Killin in the middle of nowhere. At present though I'm in Edinburgh.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
First Cartoon....ooo thats got to be Looney Tunes. I still get a kick out of watching it now, it still has that charm that it had way back when. I think its one of those cartoons that will probably still be watched by kids for years yet, its somewhat timeless you could say. Tom & Jerry too, ah thats another brilliant classic, which i guess is also one which is timeless too.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
As much as i do like to spend my nights watching anime, University has taken up about 80% of my time, so when i do finally get back and have free time, its more sleep that i'd rather have. Mind you, manga has been something more i read now, with my collection slowly but surely increasing in size. I can usually fit in a manga a night, so at present i've been working my way through both Berserk and Fruits Basket, only just finishing Genshiken last week. It may not be manga, but i have taken a big interest in light novels, a lot of anime is made based on light novels now, Full Metal Panic and Haruhi spring to mind, and both Light novel series are equally, if not more interesting than their anime counterparts, so obviously i've been reading them as well.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Which one anime series....thats a toughy actually, I would probably go for Full Metal Panic!, its my personal favourite, and it may be cheating, but i'd try to stash all three series. My only hope is that the rest of the light novels get animated so i could stash more.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
I've been a fairly big gamer a lot of my life, thats calmed down a lot from when i was 14-15, but its still there, so its quite likely that you could see me online on my Xbox 360 at some point on the latest titles. I've taken a big interest in Japanese as well, despite not actually doing a degree in it, i've taken it upon myself to teach it to myself when i can, so i can at least speak and write/read a little bit now. Also outwith the more "geeky" side of me, i've taken to going out for walks around town or with friends. This is really my first proper year in a city and there is a fair bit to look at, so i thought i'd start taking in the sites or just nice walks in the evening. Other than that, i've taken a lot to reading a fair bit as well, nothing beats a night in, listening to a bit of Jazz or Rhythm & Blues, whilst reading a good book sometimes.

Ryo Chan

News Reporter
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
I'm a 25 year old security and sales assistant at Argos, stuck in the middle of nowhere between Blackpool and Preston
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
Showing my age now, it was probually Denver the Last Dinosaur, or Dangermouse, i can never remember which came first
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
I tend to save my Manga for work or while traveling on the bus, but i'd say i spend on average 5-6 hours a week watching anime
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Oh that's a tough one, there's too many good shows out there, but i'd have to go with Tenchi Muyo, it one of my first and favorite shows of all time
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
Video games, Video making and music. I'm afraid i'm the typical sterotypical otaku
Release Schedule

Neferpitou

Release Schedule

While Neferpitou has yet to fill out our internal questionnaire, you can always send an e-mail.
Writer

christor

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
Hiya guys and lady-guys I am a long-time anime fan from deepest darkest Kent. Canterbury to be precise. I'm in my late 20's (which is about 50 in otaku years) and I remember the old days of stumping up 13 quid for a dub only VHS with one episode... you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it! *gazes wistfully into the distance*
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
Probably Bagpuss. I've met him you know. Well, his creator brought the original puppet to my primary school and I saw him, but that doesn't sound quite so exciting. A lot of my favourite cartoons growing up (Dogtanion, Cities of Gold) actually turned out to be anime, so maybe that's the source.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
Not as much as I used to thanks to it sharing time with my other interests but I always try and squeeze some in. I'm working my way through a couple of manga series (monster, death note) and I always make time for my favourite static art-form!
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Tough question there. Asking me to choose my favourite Miyazaki movie is like asking a parent to choose between their children. Mononoke, Totoro or Spririted Away? I can't choose, so I'm going to take the easy route and just take the Cowboy Bebop boxset instead, as there's something in there to suit just about any mood.And the best soundtrack ever.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
I'm into animation as a whole, not just anime. I love all sorts from Pixar, to The Simpsons, to Coraline. I'm also a movie buff- unurprisngly I've got a bit of a leaning towards Japanese and asian cinema but I enjoy films from the world over- including, yes some stuff from Hollywood. I also enjoy videogames- I'm a Nintendo loyalist through and through (although I have a PS3 as well). I spend most of my time making animations and comics of my own and I hope to work in that field myself some day!

ConanThe3rd

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
23

I'm from Glasgow, Scotland.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
Dogtanian and the Muskahounds way back in like 89 or some'in'.

Which is technically an amine, isn't it?
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
I keep at most three series going on at one time (Besides what the local club shows), manga's a "Whenever thing".
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Martian Successor Nadesico. No Question, I could watch that series a million times and come away with something new.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
Game Making (Wario Ware DIY, RPG Maker)
Video Gaming
Wish to try TRPGing but not enough silly dice / willing participants for that.

darkstorm

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
Oh man, I'm always bad at these as I don't know what to say!

Ok; my name's Sarah, I'm 22, I live on the edge of Kent but was born in the heart of London, and I work in the TV industry as a promotions producer. I've been working since I was 17 and never went to university, that's why I lack knowledge of drinking games but have a lovely telephone voice!

Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
Bucky O'Hare, Dangermouse, Count Duckula and Rugrats come to mind; I was a big watcher of Nickelodeon in the young days too.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
I tend to have 'binges' of anime; I can go months without watching any, then all of a sudden go through tons of box sets.
I have more time for manga due to the nature of my job but I try to avoid any series that's over 10 volumes long (says the girl who owns Death Note and is currently reading Vampire Knight...)
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
It's not very original, but probably Neon Genesis Evangelion; it was one of the first 'grown up' animations I saw and I always find something new in it everytime I watch it.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
My major interest is video games; I own at least 2 consoles from every generation since the Sega Mega Drive days, so I always have a game on the go.

I watch far too much TV; I have about 20 programmes on Sky+ at any given time.

Writing reviews is also a hobby of mine; as well as anime I also review video games, films, books...anything I feel I can talk about. I'm within the top 1000 reviewers on amazon (same name as my user name here) as well as post my longer reviews on my Livejournal (lilithdarkstorm.livejournal.com) and GameFAQs.

Matthew

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
Hi, my name is Matthew and I live in Birmingham. I'm 31 years old and missing my twenties. My day job is as a freelance game designer and tech news blogger. If you ever want to discuss games, or get some help with your PC, I'm your man.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
First very cool cartoon I watched. By cool I mean you couldn't peel me away from the TV, was Jayce and the Wheel Warriors. They still haven't released it on DVD in the UK, but it would be a day one purchase for me.

Scariest show I watched as a child: Terrahawks
Show that made me aware of Japanese coolness: Starfleet
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
This varies depending on how busy I am. I try to watch a disc of a series a week at a minimum. If I am really into a series though, it can be finished in a couple of evenings. Manga I have never really stuck with. When I was younger it wasn't as widely available, now I always choose anime over manga. But if there's ever a manga lying around I'll pick it up and have a read.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
I think it would have to be Cowboy Bebop. It has everything you want from a series in my opinion.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
Games! I own every current console and a lot from the past. I've also spent the last 8 years designing games professionally, and don't see that changing any time soon. I also enjoy Formula One and never miss a race.

My tech blogging also leads me to want every gadget under the sun unless it has an Apple name on it. Me and half eaten fruit products don't get along too well. Apple is the marmite of gadgets.

Nargis

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
Hello. I'm 27, have purple hair and anime and manga have hijacked my life. Growing up I was into Beano and the Dandy (I mean, hello! Why didn't I know about anime/manga back then?) Having led a misspent youth, I am now making up for it. Oh, I'm a Londoner too.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
I loved everything from Top Cat, those crazy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Ghost Busters. (Must refrain from singing the theme tune - you know you want to!) But Thundercats were my absolute favourite.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
About an hour a day! Watching the Furuba kids and Miyazaki's films make me want to believe in the world that much more. That, I think, is the true power of anime. Even I was swayed by Tohru Honda and her, "Never give ups." Manga is a godsend for long tube journeys!
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Last Exile - Anime's don't get more epic than this. Aerial warfare, steam punk, political intrigue and two young pilots caught up in the middle of it all. This is the series that got me hooked on anime, and with good reason, it's truly a modern masterpiece!
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
My other passion would be manga. You know you've turned in to a geek when you've run out of space on your book shelf just when the new volume of Fruits Basket arrives. Other favourites include Ghost Hunt, Othello, Loveless and Hana Kimi! It was whilst reading these pages did I wonder - what's Pocky? Or who's Hyde? Manga was the best introduction to Japanese culture I could have had.

Project-2501

Writer

While Project-2501 has yet to fill out our internal questionnaire, you can always send an e-mail.

Raz112

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
Well - soon to be 24 - born in East London, moved to the SW burbs of Surrey aged 3. Parents are of Bangladeshi descent. Studied at Tiffin Boys School through my teenage years, peering over the gate, cursing Kingston Grammar School opposite and their co-ed nature, with their hot girls in expensive slick suits and short skirts.

Anyway, moved onto Kent University studying Politics & International Relations with a year in Japan. Studied Japanese and American politics and society predominantly, and started learning the language whilst in Japan. Coming back, wanted to get fluent, but it's been hard. Didn't get to study any until last September, where I started studying Japanese Studies Masters at SOAS, London, though it's not going great. I'm not a great student you see, and though I've got this far, I fear I may have finally gone out of my depth...we'll see...
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
This is actually much harder than they should be, as I've realised over the years that I seem to have a very poor memory regarding myself and my past...

Whilst I can't say what my 1st cartoon was, what I can say is that it predominantly involved me watching videos again and again, and although we had a few, like Mask, G.I. Joe, and Visionairies, the one I seem to remember watching the most was Tom and Jerry. So I'm gonna go with that. I do remember watching a lot of Warner Bros though, and other Hanna Barbera cartoons...and Danger Mouse...yeah... But yeah Tom and Jerry all the way.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
Well - up until last September when I started my Masters, I watched a hell of a lot of anime. Sometimes, I would watch a whole series in a day or two, if I really got into it, and if I felt like wasting time, or rather not do work. Having said that I don't try and watch it 24/7. Got other interests too - film, games, music, sport, tv, etc.

As for manga, I'm slowly getting into it, though I prefer reading it in Japanese. There are 3 issues here however. One is the language - my ability varies, so with more adult stories like Blame! (though predominantly visual), Akira (Movie Adaptation only unfortunately, though I got it for free heh), and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure which I own, the language gets difficult and more a dictionary exercise. With more child friendly stories, like Hajime no Ippo, the series is so long (not a bad thing at all if it's good and consistent) that I need money to be exploited on ebay, or go back to Japan to get it for a quid a book but then spend a 100 just to ship it home. Finally I was discouraged with the lack of availability of manga in the past, where it was pretty futile to collect a series efficiently, but I'm sure times have changed now, even with the recession putting a strain on the companies.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get more into it with this website.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Well, if stuck on a deserted island alone, I would think I would need something to pick me up often to keep me going and guarantee a smile on face despite my grave situation. Providing sheer enjoyment and randomness that will never get old, and the fact that the series will never end, it's gotta be Gintama. Come on, guys - you can't tell me that Gintama would not be great in a situation like this. I hear the manga is even better. Gotta get that...
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
Well with anime comes my passion for film, watching anything that's good - though I do have a special interest in East Asia, predominantly China, Korea, and Japan. I tend to buy world cinema dvds more than hollywood, simply because accessibility to those films is much greater. Also I always love to buy and find hidden gems, not to say that they don't exist within Hollywood.

I love my games, still playing at 23, and keeping most of my consoles over the years - was a Sega boy until their fall - this generation got a PS3 and now a Wii - but again, getting less and less time to play anything.

Love my sport though I've become more of a spectator - Arsenal fan. Music, like film, am fairly an all rounder - whatever sounds good I'll take it. I appreciate art too, predominantly of the comic/game styles of both American and Japanese regions, though I can't draw unfortunately...

Reevothemusefan

Writer
The generic introduction... How old are you? And where are you from?
I'm 21 years old and I live in a village in the middle of nowhere called Snarestone.
Forgetting anime for a moment, what's the first cartoon you can remember watching as a kid?
So many memories yet all so vague, I think the cartoon that comes to mind is Dexter Laboratory. It was fantastic back in the day.
So how much anime do you actually watch? Ever made the time to read manga too?
I normally watch anime at least 2 episodes at night, I found that it gets me to sleep.
Yes I do read manga too, I read manga mainly at home or on public transport.
Knowing you're going to be stuck on an deserted island, which one anime series/movie do you stash?
Thats harsh, I can think of many great series, I would pick Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, just because I enjoy watching it everytime I watch it.
Other than the obvious anime addiction, what else do you enjoy?
I love music, i'm more of an indie rock person than listen to the next big rock hit.

Bands like These New Puritans, The Engineers, Hope Of The States.

I also enjoy playing a lot of video games, I play various normal RPG's and JRPG's.

My list of best games includes Persona 3, Final Fantasy 7 and Gitaroo Man.

Editorial Spotlight

Review of Vampire Knight - #9 & #10
It’s very easy to disregard the Vampire Knight manga as nothing more than shojo fluff with some good-looking males - who just happen to be vampires - thrown in... Read more
Review of Soul Eater #2
This is the underground entrance. Our foe is powerful. If you are not fully prepared for what's ahead, you may lose your life. If you want to turn back now, then.. Read more (0 comments)
Review of Rozen Maiden
A lot has changed since the end of the first season of Rozen Maiden; Jun has overcome his fear of leaving his home and is now studying hard to catch up to his.. Read more (0 comments)

Latest Reviews

Soul Eater #2 (0)

Rozen Maiden - Träumend #1 & #2 (0)

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood #1 (0)

Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful #2 (0)

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[View ALL Reviews]

Manga Reviews

Vampire Knight - #9 & #10

Black Bird #1

Alice in the Country of Hearts #1

Samurai Deeper Kyo #35

Black Butler #1

[View ALL manga reviews]

Nakama Britannica

Nakama Britannica is a blog aggregator populated by the Anime UK News communty.

September 2010 lineup from Be.. by beez_andrew

Ideon 9 & 10 by IKnight

Chav Loli starts a fight by sonia_leong

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Upcoming UK Releases

[View Full Schedule]
Mon, 6 Sep 2010
(Re-Release) Ah My Goddess Complete Collection (RRP: £39.99) MVM Films
(Re-Release) Samurai Champloo Complete Collection (RRP: £39.99) MVM Films
(Re-Release) Texhnolyze Complete Collection (RRP: £39.99) MVM Films
Ah! My Goddess season 2: Vol. 3 of 3 (RRP: £19.99) Manga Ent.
Bleach The Movie Diamond Dust Rebellion (RRP: £17.99) Manga Ent.
Burst Angel Complete Series + OVA Infinity (RRP: £39.99) MVM Films
Burst Angel Complete Series + OVA Infinity (RRP: £39.99) MVM Films
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit: Part 1 (RRP: £24.99) MVM Films
Mon, 13 Sep 2010
Mnemosyne (RRP: £19.99) Manga Ent.
Mon, 20 Sep 2010
Soul Eater: Part 3 of 4 (RRP: £24.99) Manga Ent.

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